Cambridge University, Men’s Student Eight
Rob Baker’s men took student rowing to new heights in 2025 with a string of sensational performances. Their win in The Boat Race – the third in a row for the Light Blue men’s programme – was emphatic, defeating an Oxford crew with three Olympians in the stern. Cambridge then went on to have a tilt at The Grand Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta, bringing Olympic gold medallist Tom Ford into the crew and getting within 1/4 of a length of the Dutch national eight.
Oxford Brookes University, Men’s Student Eight
Although this may not have been a vintage year for the Oxford Brookes programme, given all of the off-water turmoil, this boat still had a fantastic season by all reasonable expectations. They retained their open championship eight title at BUCS Regatta and were the last domestic crew left standing in The Temple Challenge Cup, falling to the lightning-quick Harvard University lightweight unit. They consistently ranked as one of the fastest crews in the country and rallied together in the face of immense challenges.
University of London, Men’s Student Coxed Four
The University of London took The Prince Albert Challenge Cup for the first time since 2021, defeating Edinburgh University in signature style, having been led off the blocks before responding impressively in the second half. This Trophy was one of the most hotly-contested at Henley Royal Regatta, and UL came into the competition with the weight of expectation on their shoulders, having already collected gold at BUCS Regatta and ranking as the fastest coxed four at both the Metropolitan and Marlow Regattas. They delivered in style.
Newcastle University, Women’s Student Eight
Much was made pre-Henley Royal Regatta about this Newcastle University crew, who were carrying several returners from their 2024 boat that wound up as losing finalists. In the end, Rutgers came from nowhere to spoil the party, but that does not detract from a fabulous season for the Blue Star. Their perennial tussle with Durham saw them stretch out to new heights, taking the women’s championship eight title at BUCS Regatta and finishing as the fastest domestic boat at Henley Royal Regatta. Having lost Holly Youd due to her U23 exploits, their Sunday berth was an enormous achievement.
Reading University, Women’s Student Quad
By some considerable distance, this was the fastest Reading University women’s quad to ever come out of this rapidly evolving programme. They saw off all-comers domestically, collecting wins at BUCS Regatta, the Metropolitan Regatta and Henley Women’s Regatta before getting within two lengths of the Olympic bronze medallist crew from Germany at Henley Royal Regatta. Had a student or club sculling event offered for women at the latter, I feel confident that Reading – with 2025 U23 world champions Ellie Cooke and Finn Stratton onboard – would have taken the red box.
